The tipping point A 15 PERCENT GRATUITY

Things just haven't been the same lately for Meaghen Brugman. A waitress at the Bethlehem Diner for the past year and a half, the single mom used to have no problem bringing in enough from her work to support ...

[dalai lama lover]

these scum of the earth employees that depend on tips should have gotten a better education rather then hustling for handouts

[walking distance]

Stop serving cold food and the people will stop running.

I eat home now every day, it's the only way to get a hot meal.

[ceart99]

dalai lama lover wrote:

these scum of the earth employees that depend on tips should have gotten a better education rather then hustling for handouts

I hope with an attitude like that you never eat in a restaurant! Who do you expect to serve you your food? Sure there may be better jobs out there, but there is demand for this type of job as well.

[Here for now]

I appreciate good service and a friendly smile and will gladly tip for that. And I feel bad for servers and all that depend on tips to make up for the ridiculous pay rate that they get from their employer. Not to mention the rude and cheap people that they come in contact with on a daily basis. Just wanted those who give good service to know that some of us appreciate what they do.

[JENGERSNIP]

I am a hairstylist and I have seen the declining tips as well. People are coming in less often and leaving less of a tip.
I have noticed not even the most excellent customer service can make people more generous w/ tips b/c of the prices of gas/food/and just the every day necessities of life. When people do come in the same things come up as to gas, food, etc.
I have picked up major hours at the salon i manage just to make ends meet, I am a single mother and do live off my tips.

As far as dalai lama lover he seems to be a complete asshole, i hope that the servers that he comes into contact with spit poison into his food. He is the person who probably has given wait staff the biggest headaches and then stiffs them. He is the scum of the earth.

[M Jones]

I will continue tipping the 15% or more for good service. However, I've noticed an increase of some waitresses/waiters who don't pay attention when the order is given. Then, you have to wait and wait for them to come back. In this case, a smaller tip is given with a note. I stopped talking to the manager/owner because nothing changes.

[Former Server]

Here's how I decide how much to tip: I start out the evening at 18%. If I have to ask the server to bring me water more than once, it goes down to 17%. If I have to ask for ANYTHING else more than once, another point is deducted. If my food is cold or unappetizing looking, there goes another point.(When I was a server, I wouldn't serve food that I wouldn't want to eat, or serve to a friend or family member. With an attitude like that, I made about $600 a week in tips during the summers when I was in college).
Servers, take heed - THE BETTER YOUR SERVICE IS, THE BETTER THE TIP WILL BE. And for those who to out to teat: if you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to go out to eat.

[Lola]

Former Server...I agree with your point system for the most part. You should not have to ask more than once for something. A good server should be keeping an eye on your drinks and know to offer another drink before your first drink is done.

Regarding serving food that is cold. Well...unless you want your server to have their fingers in your food to test it..there is no way a server would know if your food was cold. I do believe the food should look appetizing...a server has some control over that. Former Server...what's happening is that people are NOT leaving 15 - 18% on their bills. They are leaving $2.00 no matter what they order. And they still run you just as much. That's wrong!!! Of course I serve in a family type restaurant...so maybe the high end restaurants still have guests who tip appropriately???

[sick of it]

dalai lama lover wrote:

these scum of the earth employees that depend on tips should have gotten a better education rather then hustling for handouts

My daughter is a server and brings home at least 700.00.week. Can you say the same moron? Many of these waitresses make more than educated people that can't find a real job are are working for hardly any money at all. They do it by choice, not because they can't get another job.
What a useless ignorant fool you are.

[cereal city]

dalai lama lover wrote:

these scum of the earth employees that depend on tips should have gotten a better education rather then hustling for handouts

Um,,, I left working in the operating room as a medical assistant to be a waitress/bartender. I certainly am not "scum of the earth" and probably make more money and own more than you do without being in debt (with the exception on one mortgage and i own two homes, meaning i own one out right) sometimes you just gotta do what makes you happy, working in the health care industry didn't do it for me. being able to be myself and have fun every day of my life,, now thats what i'm talking about.

[Hey Gregorys Waiter]

Your seeing a decline in patronage because GREGORY'S SUCKS! And more and more people are learning that and avoiding it like the plague. Got a job at a good restaurant and you should be doing a lot better.

[Who Cares]

I totally hate the tipping idea. It forces good servers to be beggers. Let the restaurants charge what is needed to pay these people. It might also cut down on the number of undocumented workers they have in the back too.

No other business does this. It would make no sense to give your grocery clerk extra money for helping you or the receptionist at your doctors office. Why are servers forced to be beggers?

[Winston]

Former Server wrote:

Here's how I decide how much to tip: I start out the evening at 18%. If I have to ask the server to bring me water more than once, it goes down to 17%. If I have to ask for ANYTHING else more than once, another point is deducted. If my food is cold or unappetizing looking, there goes another point.(When I was a server, I wouldn't serve food that I wouldn't want to eat, or serve to a friend or family member. With an attitude like that, I made about $600 a week in tips during the summers when I was in college).
Servers, take heed - THE BETTER YOUR SERVICE IS, THE BETTER THE TIP WILL BE. And for those who to out to teat: if you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to go out to eat.

Your not impressing anyone.

[Easton resident]

Yeah, when you see a restaurant advertising that they have a special for only $14.95, you need to realize the meal is going to cost you $20.00 with tax, tip, and beverage (at the very least). The establisment should already be including the cost of their labor in the price, not expecting customers to chip in.

[Also former server]

Former Server wrote:

Here's how I decide how much to tip: I start out the evening at 18%. If I have to ask the server to bring me water more than once, it goes down to 17%. If I have to ask for ANYTHING else more than once, another point is deducted. If my food is cold or unappetizing looking, there goes another point.(When I was a server, I wouldn't serve food that I wouldn't want to eat, or serve to a friend or family member. With an attitude like that, I made about $600 a week in tips during the summers when I was in college).
Servers, take heed - THE BETTER YOUR SERVICE IS, THE BETTER THE TIP WILL BE. And for those who to out to teat: if you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to go out to eat.

And if you throw a role and they fetch to they get more? How about getting them to roll over and bark? All you have suggested is that even though once a server, you treat them like animals trained to perform.

I agree with other comments. Imagine having a plumber come into your house to do work and when you get the bill, you then have to decide how much the guy gets for doing it. If he did a good job you give him more. That doesn't make any sense there or anywhere else. I agree with the comments that say it should be abolished.

[b4its2late]

Speakin of tipping (Im always a good tipper) I am getting sick and tired of EVERYONE having a tip jar on the counter, Subways, pizza, etc. These ARE NOT tipping positions. They are everywhere. IF you feel the same its time to start telling the managment

[radical moderate]

Some of you people should not go out. I always tip 20%.

[Larry]

T.I.P.S. actually stands for:

To Insure Proper Service

[Boop]

My starting point is 15%, if the service is outstanding, friendly, etc...it goes up to 20% and more, if it's terrible, it will be less then 15%.

What the people who depend on tips need to realize is smile & be friendly. Don't have a scour on your face and roll your eyes when we ask for something.

Another factor is how the food is, how long it took, etc.. If we decide to say something to the server will they do something about it or just say, well I don't make the food I only bring it to the table.

One thing I cannot stand is a server who is absolutly miserable. You'll get a tip, a nickel, just so you know we didn't forget to tip you.

[Mr Pink]

I'm very sorry the government taxes their tips, that's messed up. That ain't my fault. It would seem to me that waitresses are one of the many groups the government mistreats on a regular basis. Look, if you ask me to sign something that says the government shouldn't do that, I'll sign it, put it to a vote, I'll vote for it, but what I won't do is play ball. And as for this non-college garbage I got two words for that: learn to type, 'cause if you're expecting me to help out with the rent you're in for a big surprise.